#15 Culture | The Speck

Dr. Stephen Phinney: "Why do you look at the speck [lie]that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log [liar] that is in your own eye?"

Dec 10, 2024

Why is it so difficult for Christians to live the Truths they speak? Why are most obsessed with the speck in the eye of those who they seek to befriend?

"Why do you look at the speck [lie]that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log [liar] that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take [address] the speck [lie] out of your eye [life],’ and behold, the log [liar] is in your own eye [life]? You hypocrite, first take [address] the log [liar] out of your own eye [life], and then you will see clearly to take the speck [lie] out of your brother's eye [life].” (Matthew 7:3-5)

THE LOG AND THE LIAR

The term speck addresses the Christian who lies, and the term log addresses the issue of the liar. According to Jesus, there is a BIG difference.

With the challenging words in this passage, Jesus urges the reader, both then and now, to carefully examine their nasty habits of lying (hypocrisy). Most go about accusing others of lying when, in fact, they are ignoring their sin of being liars. Those who practice this are revealing hidden hypocrisy.

How do you find a liar over one who tells lies? Look for the log. Loggers are deceptively hiding behind their self-righteousness, usually in the form of punishment through silence. When they come out of the closet, watch out because they viciously focus on the errors of others.

Unfortunately, the Christians themselves provide the world’s view of authentic Christianity. The most common question asked by interested onlookers is, “If Christianity is true, why are there hypocrites in the church?” In other words, if Christianity is authentic, why are there so many liars in the church who practice the sins they address? Since the days of Jesus, Christianity was supposed to transform the liars into truth seekers.

Statistics show us that the first piece of evidence the world watches for in Christians is forgiveness.

Numerically, there are more unforgiving Christians than there are forgiving Christians. So…if the world is waiting for the evidence of authentic salvation through the Christians' ability to forgive, they better not hold their breath. Surveys on Christians show that non-Christians don’t look any different from authentic Christians, sad to say.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines hypocrisy as follows: “The assuming of a false appearance of virtue or goodness, with dissimulation of real character or inclinations, especially in respect of religious life or beliefs; hence in a general sense, dissimulation, pretense, and sham.” It also defines a hypocrite: “One who falsely professes to be virtuously or religiously inclined; one who pretends to have feelings or beliefs of a higher order than his real ones; hence generally, a dissembler; a pretender.”

In summary, let’s review hypocrisy and man’s character:

False appearance – not who they say they are.
Dissimulation of real character – presents a character opposite of their true character.
Dissimulation of religion or those who don’t believe in authentic Biblical doctrines.
Pretense and sham – their efforts are fake and a sham.
Define themselves as a hypocrite – they falsely profess things unbelieved.
Pretends to have feelings or beliefs – generally a pretender.

It’s no wonder why the Lord is so outspoken against the hypocrites. Hypocrites are people of malice, and their actions test the Lord.

Hypocrites love to punish others with their self-righteousness. Too bad for them, though; since Jesus lives in the authentic born-again believers, we too can perceive malice in others.

The deceptive act of hypocrisy is embedded in a deep-rooted belief that one is better than Jesus and has the prerogative to test Jesus AND His authentic Bridal members. Testing in this passage is peirazo, “to tempt; make one prove themselves.”

Hypocrites hate authority, minimally having a leader tell them what to do or what is right. The hypocrites that Jesus addressed are the same cowards His Body, His Church, deals with today. Each one pretended to have a great deal of respect for Him by calling Him Master and complimenting Him with displaced lies of pretense, yet they laid a trap to ensnare Him and bring Him into disgrace or trouble; a habit that liars commonly practice when fronting others while hiding behind the skirt of self-righteousness.

Our bottom line is found in the words Jesus said to these hypocrites:

"You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)

We cannot ignore these two questions: Are compulsive liars authentically born-again? And can Christians choose to lie on occasion without being labeled liars? Let’s see what this passage from Revelation communicates to us:

“But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Rev. 21:8)

I believe there is a significant difference between choosing to lie versus being a liar. The latter is a positional identity statement. Furthermore, Jesus separates eight types of people who might claim salvation in Christ:

1. Cowards - people who lack courage in standing for Truth.

2. Unbelievers – those who believe with their mouths.

3. Hateful – those who push back when reviled.

4. Murders – those who kill with intent.

5. Immoral – those of adultery and fornication.

6. Sorcerers – those who embrace witchcraft as an acceptable practice.

7. Idolaters – those who put other gods before God.

8. Liars – are those who practice lying as a lifestyle.

The takeaway Truth from our passage in Revelation confirms that Jesus seems to have a strong opinion regarding hypocrites – those who claim to know Him as their Savior but practice an opposing identity lifestyle.

“…and you have not come to know Him, but I know Him; and if I say that I do not know Him, I will be a liar like you, but I do know Him and keep His word.” (John 8:55)

Liars and hypocrites make Jesus a liar. How ugly is that? And how is it that they do this? Liars and hypocrites will not face their own sin, and most act like they have no sin.

“If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.” (1 John 1:10)

I doubt you will hear many liars say that they hate God. The truth is their genuine hatred of their brothers and sisters proves otherwise.

Don’t believe every “Christian” you encounter.

Watch and listen to whether they fulfill the most significant manifestation of authentic Christianity, forgiving and restoring relationships instantly! It takes less than ten seconds. “I was wrong, will you forgive me? Let’s rebuild what the enemy has torn down.”